REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Ceremony for the Friendship City Renewal Between the City of Santa Clara and Icheon City
Report
BACKGROUND
On April 23, 2019, the City Council approved a three-year Friendship City Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and authorized the Mayor to sign the MOU on behalf of the City of Santa Clara. Since 2022, the representatives from Icheon City have indicated interest in continuing to build their Friendship City relationship with the City of Santa Clara.
The City of Santa Clara has established relationships with three Sister Cities around the world: Coimbra, Portugal, established on August 4, 1974; Izumo, Japan, established on October 11, 1986; and Limerick, Ireland, established on August 1, 2014. The City of Santa Clara did have a Friendship City relationship with Limerick, Ireland before establishing the more formal Sister Cities relationship.
Sister Cities International defines a Friendship City relationship as the first stage in a relationship between cities before they consider and act on a more formal “Sister City” relationship. A Friendship City relationship is not required prior to two cities establishing an official Sister Cities relationship, nor does it automatically lead to a Sister Cities relationship.
During the past few years, as part of the ongoing relationship, both cities have exchanged letters of greetings for various events and holidays and also to announce newly elected officials. Icheon City has extended invitations to the Mayor for the 2023 and 2024 Icheon Ceramic Festival. In addition, there have been planned visits from Icheon to visit Santa Clara which were postponed. In November 2023, the Municipal Council of Icheon City visited Santa Clara. In late 2023, then-Vice Mayor Kevin Park also visited with the members of the Icheon City Council in the Republic of Korea.
On June 25, 2024, the City Council voted to approve a three-year Friendship City Relationship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Attachment 1) with Icheon City, Republic of Korea, and authorized Mayor Gillmor to sign the MOU on behalf of the City of Santa Clara.
DISCUSSION
Mayor Kim Kyung-hee of Icheon City is leading a Friendship City delegation to Santa Clara on July 8 and July 9, 2024. During the special ceremony on July 9, 2024 City Council meeting, the City will host a MOU signing ceremony for Mayor Kim and Mayor Gillmor to sign the MOU. The public and community are invited to join the ceremony.
This event will formalize the renewed Friendship City relationship between Icheon and Santa Clara for three-years. The City of Santa Clara will continue to work together with the Santa Clara Sister Cities Association and community partners to continue to foster the Friendship City relationship among both cities.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Fiona Kirby, Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024 Friendship City Memorandum of Understanding between Icheon City and City of Santa Clara (English version and Korean Version)